The Dickinson press. (Dickinson, Stark County, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1883-1927, 1887-05-07
HUNTING OSTRICHES.
HOW THE ARAB OF THE DESERT
CAPTURES BIG GAME.

Tho Most Favorable Tlme for the Chase.
Preparation of tho Horscs-Tho Gamo
in Eiew-NIethods of the Huntsmeu.
Tho Capture.
With the Arabs of tho desert tho chase and
CAPTURE of the ostrich is tho most attractive
and GHisocratic of tho many diversions in
which they indulge. The first thing attended
TO when hunt is contemplated is the prep
aration of the horses. They nre entirely do
privcd of grass and fed on barley for seven or
eight days before tho intended hunt. They
are allowed to drink only onco day, and
that ut sunset; ct that time they are also
w"shetl. They tale long exercises and great
attention is paid to tho arrangement Of tho
harness. The Arab says that after seven or
eight days tho stomach of the horse disap.
pears, while the chest, tho breast and Group
remain in flesh The animal is then in con.
dition to endure fatigue This training Is
called 'tcehaha." The harness used in this
hunting is much lighter than that in ordin.
airy use, especially tho saddle and the STIR
rups, an'! tie martingalc is dispensed with.
Tho bride also umlergocs many changes, the
mounting and carlaps being taken away, as
they are considered too heavy. Tho bit and
frontlet are made Of rope, without throat
ba;.d, and the reins though worry strong, are
extremely light.
The time most favorable for ostrich hunt
ing Is When there is the greatest heat. The
higher the temperature the less is the ostrich
able TO defend itself. Tho Arab says that
when man stands upright and his shadow
Is only the length Of his foot is the
exact time to hunt. Each holseman is accom-.
panied by II servant, called "zemmal" He Is
mounted on n camel carrying four goat skins
filled with water, and barley for tho horse,
wlcnt flour for the rider, some dates, n kettle
i'll which to cook tho food, and everything
which can possibly be required for the repair.
ing of the harness in case Of accident. The
horscnan wears linen vest and trousers, and
covers his neck and ears with light material
called "havuli,' which is tied with strip Of
camcfs hide. His feet arc protected by san.
dals and his legs by light CATERS, called "tra.
bag He has neither gun nor pistol, his only
weapon Icing IL wild olive or tamarind stick,
five or six feet long, with Il heavy knob OF
one end
BEGINNING THE JOURNEY
Before starting off tho hunters ascertain
where Il large number of ostrches arc to be
found They are generally met with in places
where there is u great deal of grass and rain
has recently fallen. Tho hunters commence
Their journey early in the morning. After
one or two days travelling, when thoy have
arrived near tho desired spot and they begin
to sce traces of their game, they halt and
camp. After settling, two intelligent slaves
are sent out to reconnoiter They carry O
goat skin at their sido and little bread.
They walk on until they find the ostriches,
which arc generally on elevated places As
=
watch and the other returns to convoy the in.
formation to the camp The birds are found
i'll troops consisting often Of US many Us sixty.
cautiously toward the game. Tho nearer they
approach tho spot the greater is their caution,
md when they reach tho last ridge which
hides them from the ostriches they dismount
and creep forward to ascertain whether the
birds arc still there. If such is tho case
moderate quantity of water is given to the
horses md each man mounts again and pro.
ceeds. The servants and camels follow q little
distance behind, carrying with them corn
and water.
The horscmen divide and form q circle
around tho ostricllcs Mt such distance as not
to bo noticed by them Tho servants halt
when tho horsenen separate, and as soon as
they SEQ their masters in position they walk
right before their prey. The ostriches flso,
but nrc met by the hunters who at first only
drive them back into the circle. They are
nndc to run around the ring, and in this way
their strength is exhausted. At tho first sign
of fatigue in the birds the horsemen dash il,
and the flock separates. The affrightcd birds
open their wings, which is sign of great ex.
lIaustion, and tho hunter now feeling sure of
his prey, selects his bird and runs it down
and finishes il with q blow ON the bend with